Friday's Finds
Friday, March 20, 2015 at 03:33PM 
I love Friday's. I have for so many years. It's my favorite day of the week. If you remember, a few weeks back, I told you the story of spending Friday's with my Mom, Tops and then shopping. On some of those trips my long standing girlfriend of over 50 years would come with us. Now, it just her and I and we continue the Friday morning adventures. They really are adventures because most Friday's we don't have a plan and so we never know where we are going to end up. It's always breakfast and then most times a thrift store or consignment shop. Today it was TJ Maxx but that's for another day.
Last Friday, during breakfast, we decided to try a different thrift shop. It was only a town away from where we were. Upon entering, I was a bit put off. I love consignment shops but I haven't really been to a thrift store in a long time. Messy, chaotic, and old. Both the items and the people. Since I'm always looking for a great bargain I figured what the hell, let's give it go. I was really looking for some pewter for my photography props. I've seen some nice things in some of my Be Still class photo's, so imagine my delight, when almost immediately, I found a vase and a candlestick, both lovely and old and a bit wabi sabi. Maybe this was going to be o.k. I wandered a bit more and then.......I FOUND IT. The French painting. I stopped in my tracks, took a good look at it and what struck me right away was the girl...I love French woman. They dress as they please and have an air about them of being comfortable in their own skin. They dress up, a lot. Paris, flea markets, I love them both, and I swooned when I saw the black and cream, and my love of polka dots just threw me over the edge. Aw, but where would I put it. The cost, even here, it must be expensive.
Enter Dina, my friend. She comes up to me and softly says, "that would look so good in your living room". Really I say. Her response "of course, your living room already has a French feel to it". Well I didn't know that. But where would I put it I asked, "anywhere you want she says"...Now the wheels are clicking..and I'm still looking. I bit the bullet and turned the painting around, it was sitting on the floor. I cautiously lifted the ticket, now afraid after falling in love with it and getting validation that I should have it, I was afraid it was going to be out of my range. Well, pick me up off the floor will you, my knees are bad. The price tag said, drum roll please, $20.00. Dina and I looked at each other and I said, take it to the car. And so, I brought it home...and I'll show you what I did.
When I got it home, I gently vacuumed it to get the dust off and damp wiped it ever so carefully. One look and I knew right where it would go. In one of my reading corners...Hung it. Now I'm off, what can I add. I had a little shelf on the opposite wall and started walking around the house when I remember a tea cup and saucer that I bought a month ago at Home Goods...be still my heart. The tea set is black and white.It has the same lines as is in the painting and the saucer is black polka dots.. are you kidding me. Big smile. Then I ran up to my office to find the print of Van Gogh that I took while in France in May. Found the perfect black and gold frame, on the shelf it went. A can of tea, from Paris, that my sister-in -law gave me for my birthday. Wonderful. A Van Gogh can from my trip to Belgium and finally an olive oil bottle that I found years ago at another thrift store, from Provence. I was amazed and so delighted.
I had a doll in my rocking chair that sits under this painting. I almost gave her away a few weeks ago but I am so glad I didn't...Madeline, the doll full of adventures at the Eiffel Tower now sits there, leaning against a pill from my guest bedroom...that is says La Belle Vie, "a beautiful life", and on most days, like this one, that is what I have...a beautiful life.
So this is what my little reading corner looks like now..I just love it. The painting brightened up that corner and now when I sit and have tea, I turn the fire on, gather my book and red comfy polar fleece fuzzy, and I can sometimes take myself back to one of my favorite places. Paris. When I come down the stairs from the second floor, I just love seeing this when I turn the corner. Such a small change, for such a great price, wabi sabi for sure but with lots of character and charm. It just brings a smile to my face each time I see it. I hope that, in the event I'm wrong about heaven, and we really do come back in another life, I would love to come back like the woman in that photo..ah to be a bit sassy...and enjoy it. au revoir.
Reader Comments (10)
Great article Cheryl. I can just see you. Why wait until maybe you come back. With a little more creativity you can be oh so sassy. Love ya, Peg
Thank you Peg...my favorite cheerleader...
Oh, the new look to your tea and reading corner is just wonderful Cheryl! Imagine, have all the right pieces already, just taking time to Be Still and getting it all together. I know you're going to enjoy this corner very much for a very long time. And how sweet is Madeline sitting there waiting quietly for you to join her every afternoon!! Enjoy!!!
First off what a treasure to have a special friend for that long, not an easy thing to do to keep a friendship going for that long. How fun for you both to keep up the Friday's so special. I love that she respected you and your feelings about the painting and encouraged you to purchase. It made a wonderful addition to your space. Happy weekend Cheryl.
I love your idea of Friday adventures with a friend, I may have to start that tradition. And you really stuck gold with that painting! I love all things french and I adore your reading corner! The Madeleine stories were a favorite when I was little!
Thank you Beverly for your visit, support and lovely comment...yes, it will be quite comfortable here and I'll think of France each time I see it...and you are also right, that it is just a matter of looking around at what we already have...just waiting to be discovered and moved to a different area...amazing right...like shopping at home...have a lovely weekend...my friend.
Looking at the border of the new cup and saucer I think you were meant to find them and the painting! They're perfect!
Dearest Cheryl . . . finally I have a moment to sit in my computer corner with your beautiful arrangement and story!
I'm smiling so BIG because Richard and I have been frequenting thrift stores the past month! And, "France" is popping up all over the place, quite serendipitously! Last night we watched "A Good Year" . . . filmed in Provence! Lately a rush of "French" contacts have been visiting me. I was straining to see your "French" watercolor book! Alas, I think it's time to brush up on my French. Who knows, perhaps I'll get on that plane after all? Oui Oui? Loved all the excitement and enthusiasm that came through this lovely post! Again, thanks so much for sharing part of your world with us.
It all came together perfectly!!
What a great reading corner you created! I love going to thrift stores and finding a great buy on something that is calling my name. Yes, sometimes they can be a little... well, messy, but it is all worth it in the end. :) It is also great that your new space takes you back to one of your favorite places.